Boutros-Ghali, Boutros, BOO trohs GAH lih, BOO trohs (1922-...), a diplomat from Egypt, was secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) from 1992 through 1996. He replaced Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru, who had held the office from 1982 to 1991. Boutros-Ghali became the first secretary-general from Africa.